"Legal High" raids in Aberdeen

So-called legal highs worth more than £100,000 have been seized by Trading Standards officers in Aberdeen.

Edinburgh City Council became the first local authority to be granted

forfeiture orders from the Sheriff Court that cover a large number of chemical

substances and brand names as part of a campaign to stamp out the use of the products.

Aberdeen has now followed suit and 5,744 new psychoactive substances (NPS) were seized from shops with an estimated retail value of more than £100,000, the council said.

It was part of a series of operations across Scotland - but 78% of the seizures were in the Granite City.

A report earlier this year linked NPS use to a rise in physical and mental health issues, violence, anti-social behaviour and death.

Retailers caught selling products found to be dangerous could face up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to £20,000, or both.

Aberdeen City Council communities vice convener Gordon Graham said: This is a hugely important step in getting rid of these substances from local shops.

They have a devastating effect on individuals as well as communities and

there is a huge groundswell of public support for their removal.

Thanks to the work done by Trading Standards and Police Scotland in

Edinburgh, we are now in a position to take action against these retailers who

are clearly aware of the dangers these products pose to their customers because of how they consume them but they carry on selling them regardless.''

Inspector David Howieson, of Police Scotland, said: We welcome the action taken, along with Trading Standards officers, to disrupt and deter the circulation of new psychoactive substances in our community.

We will take every opportunity to ensure that people know that NPS,

misleadingly called legal highs, are incredibly dangerous substances and

businesses selling NPS must realise that they are placing people at risk.''

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